Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club, Inc.

Established in 1992NARCOA Affiliate Club since 2014

LEGAL NOTICE: Operation of railway
equipment, including motorcars, is governed by Federal,
State and Railroad authorities. All rail property is
owned by someone. Operation of any equipment on or
around railroad property is only permitted with
permission of the property owner or leasor. CVRTC
will assist local, State, and Federal authorities in
prosecuting illegal operators of railway
equipment. Railway motorcar organizations now
exist in most parts of the world. Please contact
one of your local organizations. They have access
to rail property, equipment information and SAFETY
information. They are always looking to promote
the hobby/sport and would love to have your help.

The Cotton Valley Rail
Trail Club is an association of railway motorcar owners
dedicated to performing volunteer right-of-way and rail
trail maintenance in New England.

(17 December 2017)
Bruce Stuart reports that long time member Bill Wheeler has passed this
weekend. Bill has been a member of CVRTC since 1994. For many of our
current members, they might not have had the opportunity to have met Bill
or to have seen him around the engine house. But, there was a time before
contending with some health issues, Bill was an absolute staple in the
ranks of CVRTC.
(JWM)

New England Southern

(21 & 22 October 2017)
It's been a busy month on the New England Southern Railroad, as they're taking
advantage of the cool fall days to get track work projects done. Our members
have been helping out with pulling spikes, and sorting tie plates. On the
left, Jon and Clif start cutting on the right-of-way near Manville Road, the
State will be dumping the old fill in this area. On the right, Norm and Jon
have finished bringing good tie plates to Canterbury, and have patrolled down
to "Overlook" to keep track on the river's erosion. Thanks to everyone who
has been helping out!
(JWM)

Clearing the Trail

(12 October 2017)
The Thursday Gang has been out patrolling the line, and keeping it
open for everyone to enjoy. To left, we see a large a tree that came down,
blocking the corridor. Dave reports that the guys spent a half hour with
a chain saw, cutting up the tree and clearing the trail.
(JWM)

Trail Ceremony

(30 September 2017)
Despite the rainy weather, around 100 people showed up for the Golden Spike
ceremony and motorcar rides along the newly completed trail section. To left,
Club President Bruce Stuart shares his thoughts and praises all other groups
involved. He put out a challenge to get the younger generations involved,
insuring that the trail will continue to be maintained in the future.
(JWM)

Improvements at Cotton Valley

(13 September 2017) Jessie and his dad were out at Cotton Valley today
with the Club's tractor, digging holes
to set posts for the new guardrail for the parking area. This will
protect vehicles, by keeping them away from the rails,
and reducing any obstruction of maintenance equipment. The ribbon cutting
for the next trail segment is scheduled for Saturday, September 30th(JWM)

Clothing Order

(10 September 2017) The Club will be placing an order for T-Shirts and
long sleeve denim shirts. Get in touch with Dave by email, Kot2B@comcast.net
or call him at 603-431-7044 if you're interested.
(JWM)

September Meeting at Fernald

(10 September 2017) After the club meeting at 10:00 AM was over members headed both west and east of Fernald Station for some
trail work. Ken and Cliff moved signs and cut down low hangars while Sean pulled the deck mower and Bruce ran the sickle bar
machine to the first causeway. Ron and gang headed east and placed a temporary guard rail at Cotton Valley. They also
dropped off gauge rods at Clark Road for the final bridge work over the stream.

To the left, Bruce is taking a look back west at the wide swath that the sickle bar affords us. A short video of the mowing heading west.
(JWM/SPM)

New England Southern

(26 August 2017) Our track crew was blessed by good weather, as we patrolled
north from Canterbury to Lochmere. We cut back sight lines, and cleaned out
the flangways at several crossings. Our lunch stop was the Dippsy Doodle, and
we're happy to announce that the quality of the food and service has improved
back to how it was several years ago. Thanks to the seven members and guests
that made it out today!

To the left, from back to front, we have Ron, Frank, Clif, Tony and Jon's motorcars; five different Fairmont cars, spanning the ages.
Frank's car is a 1930s off the Rutland RR, and Jon's is a 1986 from the S.D.
Warren paper company.
(JWM)

Open House

(13 August 2017)
Great day for the Club's Open House. See you next year!
(JWM)

M & B Excursion

(6 August 2017) The club enjoyed a great day of motorcaring
on the Milford & Bennington Railroad. Closely associated
with the host railroad, club member Steve Medlyn, organized
a perfect day on the rails. The Greenfield Historical
Society was very gracious offering the use of their
facilities and even providing lunch for the entire group at
our mid-day break. We ran the full length of track from the
old Wilton Depot to near the end of track at the old
Bennington Depot. Special thanks to the roads owner, Peter
Leishman and the small army of flaggers who kept the consist
moving through all the crossings. Thank you Steve and Pat!
(SPM)

Day Out With Thomas

(July 30, 2017)
We finished off the second weekend in great style. We had good weather all
three days, and kept fairly busy, packing our cars full of excited kids.

There was some thought that we might have been creating confusion and delay,
and Sir Topham Hatt came over to inspect our operations. He found that we
were very useful, and operating to the highest standards.

Later Hank invited the band over, and they put on a moving concert!

Thanks for everyone's efforts this year!
(JWM)

Roy Frendberg

(July 27, 2017)
The Club lost lost time member Roy Frendberg.
(Pictured on the left)

He was an avid rail enthusiast and enjoyed spending time at the Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club in Wolfeboro, NH, the Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME and the Edaville Railway in Carver, MA. Many friendships were made and treasured. He will be remembered for being kindhearted, caring, thoughtful and always willing to help friends, neighbors and others. "It was a good life!".
(JWM)

Len Abrahamson

(July 16, 2017)
The Club lost lost time member Len Abrahamson. Lenny, as most knew him, was active not only in the CVRTC, but an Industrial Arts teacher, active with drag racing and past president of the local snowmobile club.

Sean recalls mentoring him on his first NARCOA excursion. Lenny had already operated his M9 plenty on the Wolfeboro, and "you knew in the first 100 yards that he was more than capable of operating a motorcar"

Lenny enjoyed modeling the Boston & Maine railroad, and would show up at Dave's house during the Tour de Chooch, always bringing some new locomotives to run.

He was a real likable guy, and we'll miss his easy smile and contributions to the Club. Rest in Peace!

Services will be held at Peaslee and Son Funeral Home in Wakefield NH this coming Sat at 11am for those members who would like to attend. Cards can be addressed to 30 Clark Rd, Brookfield NH, 03872
(JWM)

July Meeting

(July 9, 2017)
Nice day for a meeting... unless you stayed home recovering from the
Crawford Notch ride the day before! Eighteen members showed up for the
meeting. Gator, Jon and Jesse showed up a bit early, and went right
to work, cleaning up the trash around the porta-potty, and painting and
replanting the whistle post. We hope to start work on the Memorial
Garden as soon as the dead pine tree can be removed. There's still a
little cleanup work to be done before next month's Open House. That is
Jesse's MT-19 sitting in front of Fernald Station.
(JWM)

Crawford Notch

(July 8, 2017)
CVRTC members
that volunteered during last year's Day out with Thomas™ events
had another great day patrolling through Crawford Notch.

We had a safe, accident-free trip with twelve cars and 25 riders.
The day started off with a safety talk at eight. After our arrival at the
North Conway depot, Paul Hallett thanked us for the help the CVRTC does
during the Thomas weekends, finishing up with a short safety talk.
Off to Fabyan with stops in Bartlett and Crawfords. On our return trip,
we met the North Train at Crawfords, where
we waited for it's departure before we followed it back down, meeting the
Valley Train in Bartlett, and then following it to Mountain Junction,
where we bent the iron, and contined to
Redstone. But there's more... we continued east to the Saco River bridge,
which is decked over for snowmobile use.

Thanks to all of the participants who helped make this another safe and
enjoyable trip!
(JWM)

New England Southern

(June 25, 2017)
Six cars and nine crew members patrolled for NEGS today. We
inspected the new Sewells Falls crossing, and trimed the sight
lines. Clif showed us the progress that has been made on the
historic signal cabinet.

Picture was taken in the Canterbury Yard, one car had already been
setoff and loaded up.
(JWM)

Crawford Notch

(June 24, 2017)
Another great day through the Notch was had by the CVRTC members
that volunteered during last year's Day out with Thomas™ events.

If you don't like the weather in New England... wait a couple of minutes.
The weather Gods change their minds; we only had a very short light mist
during seton and some rain through the Notch which was over by the time we
arrived at Fayban. Other than that we had warm temperatures, sunny
skies with a nice cool breeze the rest of the day.

We had a safe, accident-free trip with nine cars and 18 riders.
The day started off with a safety talk at eight. After our arrival at the
North Conway depot, Paul Hallett thanked us for the help the CVRTC does
during the Thomas weekends, finishing up with a short safety talk.
Off to Fabyan with stops in Bartlett and Crawfords. On our return trip,
we met the North Train at Crawfords, where
we waited for it's departure before we followed it back down, meeting the
Valley Train in Bartlett, and then following it to Mountain Junction,
where we bent the iron, and contined to
Redstone.

Thanks to all of the participants who helped make this another safe and
enjoyable trip and everybody was off the rails and headed home by 5:45.
See you all on July 8th. Don't forget to check your brakes and
bring release forms for each participant.
(JWM)

Thursday Gang

(June 15, 2017)
Must be nice to be retired! The Thursday Gang was out for a
track patrol today. Looks like five cars headed eastbound on the mainline
at Cotton Valley.
(JWM)

June Family Day and BBQ

(June 11, 2017)
Great day full of motorcar rides, great food, and a little bit of work
restoring a whistle post. Photos taken by Edward. Overhead photo by
Jesse.
(JWM)

Trail News

(June 5, 2017)
Bruce reports that the bridge is finished. The recent weather has rained out
on starting the Memorial Garden. Bruce and Dave will try for later this week.
Bruce spoke with contractor regarding brush chipping; no problem with holding off
for a couple of weeks until the base of the trail is established. It will be a lot
easier to move the chipper and tractor up the line utilizing the trail opposed
to negotiating the ties. We've had a chance to take a look at what we're dealing
with regarding brush. Not as much, or big as first thought. Mike said that because
of the amount of fill they're digging out of the embankments, they are going to fill
the holes with as much brush as they can, and cover it. Will be a huge help for us.

See everyone this weekend for our Family Picnic Day.
(JWM)

Pike Brook

(May 30, 2017)
The new bridge timbers are installed, and the rail has been replaced. The
line is now re-opened all the way to the Miss Wakefield Diner. Use caution
over the bridge, as some spikes still need to be driven.
(JWM)

New England Southern

(May 27, 2017)
We had three trackcars and five members and guests along for a great day on
the rails. This spring NEGS expanded their trackage from Sargent Street
(C17.61) to Silver Lake Road (C21.90). Today's focus was brush trimming along
this section. In the picture, Sam is just finishing turning his Woodings car,
while Hank waits to spin his little M9. Out of the picture to the left, Jon
has already turned his MT-14. After a morning of cutting, the crew headed back
to Tilton, having lunch at the Tilton House of Pizza; across the street from
the former station at C18.38
(JWM)

May Meeting

(May 21, 2017)
Lots of work getting done today. Repairs were made to the enginehouse roof,
wallboarding and mudding progressed in the Fernald Station, and crews went east
to Pike Brook to remove rail sections in advance of the State of New
Hampshire rebuilding the bridge deck. New sixteen foot timbers will be
installed to support the rails, and will be big enough to install guardrails,
and still be wide enough for the snowmobile trail groomers. On the right, Jeff Johnson is seen here helping repair the interior
walls of Fernald Station.
(JWM)

May Meeting

(May 1, 2017)
Don't forget that because of Mother's Day, our May meeting is held on the
3rd Sunday. This year, it will be May 21st. Looking
forward to a nice spring day. Stay tuned for more information regarding the
projects we'd like to get done.
(JWM)

Hooksett Model Railroad Show

(April 23, 2017)
Norm Yeaton represented the Club at the annual Hooksett Lions Club show.
(JWM)

New England Southern

(April 22, 2017)
We had our first track patrol of the year on the White Mountain Branch,
running up to Tilton, and lunch at the Tilton House of Pizza. Along the
way we inspected and marked ties for this summer's tie replacement project,
as well inspecting the new crossing at Sewells Falls, and identify vegatation
that needs to be trimmed. We also noticed that we should repaint mileposts
this year.
(JWM)

Happy New Year

(January 2, 2017)
Happy New year!
We hope you are doing well. The 2017 Cotton Valley Membership Application
has been put on the Membership page.

Please fill out, and mail the application, along with a check for $30 to:

Send your application and dues as soon as possible but no later than February 18. Don't forget to indicate whether your application is for a single individual or for a family. Membership cards and rosters will be handed out at the annual meeting.

Please make every effort to send your application/check BEFORE the annual meeting - by February 18 at the latest - in order to allow time to print membership cards, as well as print the roster.

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting in March.
(DH)